Shamokin Area, Problems in the Pressbox

School board argues over press-box catering

With overcrowding at the annex the big ticket item, the press-box catering issue grabbed the headline.

Director Tracey Witmer said having the district’s food service provider serve the food was taking funds away from the band and football booster concession stands.

Witmer said she called more than a dozen area schools and said none of those schools provide food in the press box during football games.

As a contract employee of a local radio station, I would suggest that Ms. Witmer call both Southern Columbia and Mount Carmel Area. Southern Columbia's pressbox has been catered for at least a decade while Mount Carmel has been providing catering through a private sponsor for a few years.

As a working member of the electronic media, I would say most of us are coming from other duties and do not have the time to wait in line at the concession stand before the game or at halftime. Once the game starts, I am confined to the box for the remainder of the game. I only get a two minute commercial break.

I would like to thank Shamokin AD Nick Celinscak for the improvement to a great press-box this season.

In the article, Food Service Director Diane Daubilis says a $480 profit was realized.

Selinsgrove Seals inside the numbers against Shamokin

A closer look at the at the stats of Selinsgrove against Shamokin looks good on the surface. The Seals scored 41 points, rushed for 41 times for 325 yards and threw for 117.

If you look at the rushing yards and subtract the following:

Lauver - 94 yard run.
Briggs - 45 and 22 yard scrambles
Keiser - 53 yard run
Benner - 30 yard run

That is 244 yards. So take away those five plays. The Seals average per rush on 36 carries is a mere 2.25/rush attempt. Keep in mind the Seals were 13-19 through the air.

Here is where the Seals did their damage. Selinsgrove was 5 of 8 on third down and three for three on fourth downconversions. The defense also had three interceptions.

Look for the game on Friday with Southern to be a defensive battle and scoring should be a premium. I don't believe Southern's "D" will give up five big plays to the Seals. The game may hinge on the arm of Corey Briggs which has shown alot of improvement since week 1 against Mount Carmel.

If Southern has to go to the air, we will be able to measure the strides Jeremy Campbell has made.

Missed It

After sitting through 53 minutes of Susquehanna University falling behind to the Merchant Marine Academy 35-21, my son and decided to leave.

This is what we missed.

Shamokin Pep Rally

With Shamokin being a decided underdog against Mount Carmel on Friday, I found some old video of a Coal Township pep rally.

Lourdes, Southern, and Shamokin women in action today.

If you are making the trip to Marywood University today for Lourdes Regional for the games scheduled at 4:30 and 6:00 pm, here are the direcitons from I-81:

11:
Merge onto I-81 N via EXIT 260B on the LEFT toward WILKES-BARRE.
35.5 miles
Map
12:
Take EXIT 187 toward I-84 E / MT POCONO / I-380 S / MILFORD / US-6 E / CARBONDALE.
0.2 miles
Map
13:
Take the DRINKER ST exit- EXIT 186.
0.2 miles
Map
14:
Turn LEFT onto E DRINKER ST.
1.4 miles
Map
15:
E DRINKER ST becomes ELECTRIC ST.
0.2 miles
Map
16:
Turn RIGHT onto JEFFERSON AVE.

17:
Turn LEFT to stay on JEFFERSON AVE.
0.2 miles
Map
18:
Turn LEFT onto COLLEGE AVE.

19:
Turn RIGHT onto ADAMS AVE.
20:
End at 2300 Adams AveScranton, PA 18509-1514, US

Will this Southern Area fan be lurking at New Oxford today

Due to the weather last night, several area teams will be opening the state playoffs this afternoon and evening. Not much is expected out of area teams, but they play the games for a reason.

Southern Area have their hands full this afternoon down at New Oxford High School against Delone Catholic. Here is a PIAA rule I don't like. Unless your a number 1 seed coming out of the district, you shouldn't have a game in your back yard. More often than not this game is slanted toward the Hersheypark Arena or Giant Center.

Lourdes Regional boys and girls go up against Old Forge boys and girls. For years Old Forge and the former Bishop O'Reilly dueled for supremacy in District 2 A along with Bishop Hannan. Both Bishops are gone and have passed the torch to Old Forge. Out of District's 2, 4 and 11 in men, I give the Blue Devil boys the best chance of going deep in the state playoffs. Lourdes girls traditionally handled themselves against the District 2 champs (namely Forest City and the former Seton Catholic in recent years. They probably have the best chance of advancing.

Shamokin Area girls gave Selinsgrove Area all they could handle last week. A win by the Lady Indians would be their first state playoff win. They are going up against a new Catholic merger which the former was a regional power. With two freshman starters and plenty of talent coming back, Shamokin's better days are ahead. Good luck to the Lady Indians this afternoon.

Shazam!!!! Bucknell bailed out at the buzzer

The traditional Captain Marvel, painted by Alex Ross

Freshman Darryl Shazier bailed out the Bucknell Bison last night sending the game into OT with a trey at the buzzer last night against Colgate in Hamilton, NY.

No word on whether head coach Pat Flannery will return to the bench on Saturday at Navy.

Schuylkill League

Shamokin and North Schuylkill win low scoring games to advance into Friday's finals. Pictures and some video will be posted this evening.

Southern Columbia cooled off a little with a surprising loss at home to Shik.

Selinsgrove Strip

Look for a little bit more traffic.